Jim Demeaux is a Senior Finance Analyst with the San Diego Workforce Partnership. Here he describes his role, discusses what he likes best about working in workforce development and shares one of his proudest professional moments.
Tell us about your role at SDWP.
I am the go-to finance person for the Adult Programs, IT, and Communications departments. I assist the departments with the development of their annual budgets in June and November, monitor monthly budget vs. actual results, review contracts, sign off on purchase orders, answer any budget/finance-related questions and generate both monthly and quarterly reports for various program grants and regulatory agencies, including EDD and the Department of Labor. In addition, I design and/or improve Excel forms, recommend process improvements, assist with the accounting needs of the finance department, and regularly lead special projects as requested by management. One example is the IT upgrade, which we’ve been working on since June and is finally becoming a reality!
What do you like best about working in workforce development?
It’s very rewarding being a part of a top-notch, well-respected organization that helps prepare youth and adults for successful careers. Giving people opportunities that they might not have had otherwise lays the groundwork for enriched lives and strengthened communities, and I’m grateful to be involved.
What professional moment or project are you most proud of?
When I was working at the County of San Diego, one of my responsibilities was to create and manage the department budget, which needed a complete overhaul in order to accurately track and forecast expenses. I implemented a system that that made it clear whether the department was over or under budget at any given time, allowing us to plan for the future with greater certainty. Specifically, I developed forms and established processes to monitor spending, approved all expenditures and vendor/contractor payments, and held meetings with employees to communicate the importance of budgeting accurately and being consistent in tracking expenses. After one year, the budget was balanced and the department had accomplished all of its goals. As a result, we qualified for a bonus, which hadn’t happened in 5 years.